island life

If you follow me on social media you know what a Grinch I am. I am the self proclaimed Island Grinch but then something magical happened to me this year. I actually think I found my Christmas spirit (Gasp!), and to think it all happened thanks to the last blog post I wrote.

Before I begin telling you about this little island, which in comparison to my 37 square mile rock is really not that little (Bonaire is 113 square mile), I need to first tell you that Bonaire has long been a place close to my heart. My heart is filled with happy childhood memories of vacations spent here with my parents and siblings, and this little flamingo filled paradise was also one of my three choices when I decided to move back to the Caribbean from the Netherlands in 2001. I ultimately picked St. Maarten but to keep it short, Bonaire is damn special to me, even though it has been 22 years until now.

I sit in my disorganized bedroom, still stunned, still dazed. It has been 4 weeks to the day that the devastating bitch of a hurricane Irma has hit my beloved home island of St. Maarten. My most prized possessions are still wrapped up in black garbage bags and waterproof containers around me. This hurricane season has been a busy one, with one storm after the other and with another month and change to go till the official end of the hurricane season, I am not about to start unpacking and pretend that our lives can go back to normal. Not yet anyway.

Summer is here and Social media is lit (is this how I’m supposed to use this millennial expression?) with all sorts of posts on how to get that perfect bikini body, how to take that perfect beach photo and which beaches to flaunt that new bikini on. Meanwhile, the rising temperatures and my steadily increasing electric bill because of my air conditioning being on constantly, is indication enough for me that the summer months have arrived.

This is the time when most of us humans travel and the most popular destinations are places that are otherwise too cold to travel to. Hey, I might be a simple island girl but I get it.

But have I got news for you. Come closer. Can you keep a secret?

It’s common knowledge that the Caribbean islands make for the best vacations anytime of the year but did you know that these islands are exceptionally awesome in the summer months?

I say Carnival and you think feathers and bikinis, right? WRONG! Welcome to St. Maarten’s carnival, where the feathers and bikinis take backstage to the music, parties and the food. Oh. My. Goodness. The food!

Meet the Island Girl

Hi and welcome. My name is Riselle and I'm a self proclaimed travel addict, true island girl and animal lover. Welcome to my blog, a space I use to inspire, empower, advice and entertain with amusing and sincere articles, photos and videos.
If you're looking for honest travel tips, beautiful Caribbean destinations, girls getaways and everything about the Caribbean lifestyle, you have come to the right place. Welcome to the Traveling Island Girl.